U.S. patent application number 13/746664 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-30 for system and method for monitoring usage of a user device.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Mobility II, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T Mobility II, LLC. Invention is credited to Mark Causey, Adrianne Luu, Michael Zubas.
Application Number | 20130137392 13/746664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44069865 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130137392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zubas; Michael ; et
al. |
May 30, 2013 |
System and Method for Monitoring Usage of a User Device
Abstract
A server includes a limitation database, a monitor module, and a
notification module. The limitations database is configured to
store control limits for a user device. The monitor module is in
communication with the limitations database. The monitor module is
configured to monitor usage of the user device and to determine
that one of the control limits for the user device has been
exceeded. The notification module is in communication with the
monitor module. The notification module is configured to notify a
master device that the one of the control limits for the user
device has been exceeded, to receive a request to disable the user
device, and to disable the user device in response to the
request.
Inventors: |
Zubas; Michael; (Marietta,
GA) ; Causey; Mark; (Tucker, GA) ; Luu;
Adrianne; (Roswell, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T Mobility II, LLC; |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Mobility II, LLC
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
44069865 |
Appl. No.: |
13/746664 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12629259 |
Dec 2, 2009 |
8387118 |
|
|
13746664 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/24 20130101; H04L
63/102 20130101; H04L 63/1416 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/405 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/26 20060101
H04W004/26 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: setting, by a server comprising a
processor, control limits for a user device; monitoring, by the
server, usage of the user device, wherein the monitoring includes
analyzing event logs for the user device; determining, by the
server, that one of the control limits for the user device has been
exceeded responsive to detecting that the user device is accessing
content not included in the control limits; notifying, by the
server, a master device that the one of the control limits for the
user device has been exceeded; receiving, by the server, a first
request from the master device to disable the user device;
disabling, by the server, the user device in response to the first
request by directing a software application operating in the user
device to disable certain functions of the user device except for
functions of the software application; determining, by the server,
whether the user device is approved to complete a power-up sequence
and to re-enable the disabled functions of the user device
responsive to the server receiving a second request from the user
device; transmitting, by the server, to the user device an approval
message to enable the user device to complete the power-up sequence
and to re-enable the disabled functions responsive to determining
that the server has received a reset signal from the master device;
and transmitting, by the server, to the user device a rejection
message to cause the user device to power down and to maintain the
disabled functions responsive determining that the server has not
received the reset signal from the master device.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a restore
password from the master device; and restoring settings of the user
device in response to the restore password and a confirmation that
the restore password was received from the master device by
directing the software application operating in the user device
according to the settings.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining that a
password for the user device has been entered incorrectly.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining that a
password for the user device has been entered.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein disabling includes locking a
screen of the device, powering down the device, locking specific
functions of the user device, or combinations thereof.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user device is selected from
one of a cellular telephone, a computer, or a video game
console.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the control limits comprise a
password to block certain content, time of day for operation, use
of specific functions, or combinations thereof.
8. A method, comprising: setting, by a server comprising a
processor, control limits for a user device; monitoring, by the
server, usage of the user device, wherein the monitoring includes
analyzing event logs for the user device; determining, by the
server, that a password for the user device has been entered
incorrectly; notifying, by the server, a master device that the
password for the user device has been entered incorrectly;
receiving, by the server, a first request from the master device to
disable the user device; disabling, by the server, the user device
in response to the first request by directing a software
application operating in the user device to disable certain
functions of the user device except for functions of the software
application; determining, by the server, whether the user device is
approved to complete a power-up sequence and to re-enable the
disabled functions of the user device responsive to the server
receiving a second request from the user device; transmitting, by
the server, to the user device an approval message to enable the
user device to complete the power-up sequence and to re-enable the
disabled functions responsive to determining that the server has
received a reset signal from the master device; transmitting, by
the server, to the user device a rejection message to cause the
user device to power down and to maintain the disabled functions
responsive determining that the server has not received the reset
signal from the master device; and receiving a restore password
from the master device, wherein disabling comprises locking a
screen of the device.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising restoring settings of
the user device in response to the restore password and a
confirmation that the restore password was received from the master
device by directing the software application operating in the user
device according to the settings.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein disabling further comprises
powering down the device, locking specific functions of the user
device, or combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the user device is selected from
one of a cellular telephone, a computer, or a video game
console.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the control limits comprise one
of a password to block certain content, time of day for operation,
use of specific functions, or combinations thereof.
13. A server, comprising: a memory to store computer instructions;
and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to
executing the computer instructions, the processor perform
operations, comprising: monitoring usage of a user device;
determining that one of a plurality of control limits for the user
device has been exceeded; notifying a master device that the one of
the plurality of control limits for the user device has been
exceeded; receiving a first request to disable the user device;
directing a software application operating in the user device to
disable certain functions of the user device except for functions
of the software application; determining whether the user device is
approved to complete a power-up sequence and to re-enable the
disabled functions of the user device responsive to the server
receiving a second request from the user device; transmitting to
the user device an approval message to enable the user device to
complete the power-up sequence and to re-enable the disabled
functions responsive to determining that the server has received a
reset signal from the master device; and receiving a restore
password from the master device, wherein disabling comprises
locking a screen of the device.
14. The server of claim 13 wherein the operations further comprise
restoring settings of the user device in response to the restore
password and a confirmation that the restore password was received
from the master device by directing the software application
operating in the user device according to the settings.
15. The server of claim 13 wherein the operations further comprise
determining that a password for the user device has been entered
incorrectly.
16. The server of claim 13 wherein the operations further comprise:
determining that a password for the user device has been entered;
and detecting that the user device is accessing content not
included in the control limits.
17. The server of claim 13 wherein monitoring further comprises
analyzing event logs for the user device.
18. The server of claim 13 wherein disabling further comprises
powering down the device, locking specific functions of the user
device, or combinations thereof, and wherein monitoring includes
analyzing event logs for the user device.
19. The server of claim 13 wherein the user device is selected from
one of a cellular telephone, a computer, or a video game
console.
20. The server of claim 13 wherein the plurality of control limits
comprise one of a password to block certain content, time of day
for operation, or use of specific functions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/629,259 filed Dec. 2, 2009 which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to communications
networks, and more particularly relates to a system and a method
for monitoring usage of a user device.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] A user device can connect to different types of networks
depending on the type of device and a desired communication. For
example, some cellular telephones can connect to a cellular network
or to a broadband network to access the Internet or to communicate
with other user devices. These user devices can also have control
limits set for the user device to prevent access to different types
of content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements illustrated in the Figures have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements.
Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are
shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein,
in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication network;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for monitoring usage of
a user device; and
[0007] FIG. 3 is an illustrative embodiment of a general computer
system.
[0008] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The numerous innovative teachings of the present application
will be described with particular reference to the presently
preferred exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood
that this class of embodiments provides only a few examples of the
many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In
general, statements made in the specification of the present
application do not necessarily delimit any of the various claimed
inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive
features but not to others.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a communication network 100 including a server
102, a master device 104, a cellular telephone 106, a personal
computer 108, a gaming console 110, a broadband network 112, and a
cellular network 114. The server 102 is in communication with the
master device 104 and with the user devices via the broadband
network 112. The server 102 can also communicate with the master
device 104 and with the cellular telephone 106 via the broadband
network 112 and the cellular network 114. The master device 104 is
in communication with the cellular telephone 106 via the cellular
network 114, or via both the broadband network 112 and the cellular
network. The master device 104 is in communication with the
personal communication device 108 and with the gaming console 110
via the cellular network 114 and the broadband network 112, or via
only the broadband network.
[0011] The server 102 includes a limitations database 116, a
monitor module 118, and a notification module 120. The master
device 104 can be a cellular telephone, a personal computer, a
personal digital assistant, or the like. The cellular telephone
106, the personal computer 108, and the gaming console 110 include
a respective limitations agent 122, 124, or 126. The monitor module
118 and the notification module 120 can be implemented in hardware,
software, or any combination thereof. Each module may include one
or more computer systems. When a module includes more than one
computer system, the functions of the module can be distributed
across the multiple computer systems in a symmetric manner, such
that each computer system performs the same type of tasks, or in an
asymmetric manner, such that two computer systems of the module may
perform different tasks.
[0012] The cellular telephone 106 can connect to the cellular
network 114 to make telephone calls, send short message service
(SMS) text messages, download applications, display websites, or
the like. The cellular telephone 106 can also connect to the
broadband network 112, such as a Wireless-Fidelity (WiFi) network,
to download applications, display websites, or the like. The
personal computer 108 can connect to the broadband network 112 to
access and display different websites, play online video games,
send Instant Messages to other computers, or the like. The personal
computer 108 can also be used to play video games locally. The
gaming console 110 can communicate with the broadband network 112
to play online video games. The gaming console 110 can also enable
a user to play video games locally.
[0013] The cellular telephone 106 can have control limits set for
it, such as the time of day that the user device can be used, the
number of text and instant messages that can be sent or received
within a specific period of time, web usage, restricted access to
content, purchasing limits, blocking or allowing specific telephone
numbers, or the like. Similarly, the personal computer 108 can have
control limits set for it, such as the time of day that the user
device can be used, restricted access to content, purchasing
limits, or the like. The gaming console 110 also can have control
limits set for it, such as the time of day that the user device can
be used, online game usage, restricted access to online gaming
websites, purchasing limits, or the like.
[0014] The control limits can be stored in the limitations agent
122, 124, or 126 of the cellular telephone 106, the personal
computer 108, or the gaming console 110 and changing the control
limits can be protected by a password. The control limits can also
be stored individually for the cellular telephone 106, the personal
computer 108, and the gaming console 110 in the limitations
database 116 of the server 102. The limitations agent 122 of the
cellular telephone 106 can monitor the usage of the user device to
determine if the user device is attempting to access content
outside of the control limits, call a restricted telephone number,
or the like. The limitations agent 124 of the personal computer 108
can monitor the usage of the user device to determine if the user
device is attempting to access content outside of the control
limits, operate outside the allowed time of day, or the like. The
limitations agent 126 of the gaming console 110 can monitor the
usage of the user device to determine if the user device is
attempting to access content outside of the control limits, play a
restricted online game, or the like. The limitations agent 122,
124, or 126 of the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer
108, or the gaming console 110 can also monitor the password for
the control limits of the user device. When the limitations agent
122, 124, or 126 detects that content outside the control limits or
an incorrect password has been entered, the limitations agent can
transmit a notification signal to the monitor module 118 of the
server 102. The limitations agent 122, 124, or 126 can also create
an event log of the usage of the cellular telephone 106, the
personal computer 108, or the gaming console 110, and transmit the
event log to the monitor module 118 of the server 102.
[0015] If the user of the cellular telephone 106, the personal
computer 108, or the gaming console 110 enters the correct password
for the control limits, the limitations agent 122, 124, or 126 can
be disabled. However, the monitor module 118 can communicate with
various devices within the broadband network 112 to monitor the
usage of the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or
the gaming console 110. The monitor module 118 can utilize the
devices within the broadband network 112 and the event logs
received from the limitations agent 122, 124, or 126 to determine
whether the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or
the gaming console 110 is accessing content or operating during a
time period that is outside of the control limits stored in the
limitations database 116 for the user device. When the monitor
module 118 determines that the user device 106 has exceeded one of
the control limits set for the user device, the notification module
120 can send the notification message to the master device 104.
[0016] Additionally, in response to the notification signal from
the limitations agent 122, 124, or 126, the notification module 120
can send an incorrect password notification or a notification
message to a limitations agent 128 of the master device 104. The
notification message can be transmitted as a short message service
(SMS) text message, an electronic mail message, a voice message, or
the like. The user of the master device 104 can receive the
notification message, and can utilize the limitations agent 128 of
the master device to request the server 102 to perform a specific
function on the user device 106. The function can be to cause the
limitations agent 122, 124, or 126 of the user device 106 to lock
the screen of the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer
108, or the gaming console 110, power down the user device, to
disable specific communication ports on the user device, to allow
telephone calls to and/or from only one telephone number, or the
like.
[0017] If the server 102 causes the limitations agent 122, 124, or
126 of the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or
the gaming console 110 to lock the screen of the user device, the
limitations agent preferably is the only portion or component of
the user device that continues to function. The limitations agent
122, 124, or 126 can wait for a reset signal from the server 102 or
the master device 104. When the limitations agent 122, 124, or 126
receives the reset signal, the limitations agent can reset the
cellular telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or the gaming
console 110 to the operational level that the user device enjoyed
before the screen lock was implemented. The operational level can
include the previously set control limits and passwords.
[0018] However, if the server 102 causes the limitations agent 122,
124, or 126 to power down the cellular telephone 106, the personal
computer 108, or the gaming console 110, the limitations agent
preferably prevents the user device from turning on without a reset
signal from the server 102. For example, when a user attempts to
turn the user device on again, the limitations agent 122, 124, or
126 can communicate with the server 102 to determine whether the
user device can complete the power on boot process. If the server
102 has not received the reset signal associated with the cellular
telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or the gaming console 110
from the master device 104, the server 102 can notify the
limitations agent 122, 124, or 126 that the user device needs to
power down again. The limitations agent 122, 124, or 126 can then
abort the boot process and power down the user device 106. This
process can continue until the server 102 has received the reset
signal from the master device 104, and the limitations agent 122,
124, or 126 can allow the cellular telephone 106, the personal
computer 108, or the gaming console 110 to complete the boot
process and set the control limits and passwords as previously
set.
[0019] In another embodiment, the limitations agent 122, 124, or
126 of the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or
the gaming console 110 can continue to disable the user device
until the limitations agent communicates with the master device
104. The cellular telephone 106, the personal computer 108, or the
gaming console 110 can communicate with the master device 104 via a
wired connection or a wireless connection. For example, the master
device 104 and the limitations agent 122 of the cellular telephone
106 can communicate via the cellular network 114, a WiFi
connection, a Bluetooth connection, or the like. The limitations
agent 122 can receive the reset signal from the master device 104,
and can reset the cellular telephone 106 to the previous
operational level. Alternatively, the personal computer 108 or the
gaming console 110 can have a communication port, such as a
universal serial bus (USB) port, and the limitations agent 124 or
126 can continue to disable the user device until an encryption key
is received from a device plugged into the communication port. In
these situations, the cellular telephone 106, the personal computer
108, or the gaming console 110 can be monitored and disabled by the
server 102 and the master device 104, and the user devices can also
be reset with a signal from the server, the master device, or a
device having an encryption key.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of method 200 for monitoring
usage of user devices. At block 202, control limits for a user
device are set. The user device can be a cellular telephone, a
personal computer, a gaming console, or the like. The control
limits can include time of day that the user device can be used,
number of text and instant messages that can be sent or received
within a specific period of time, web usage, restricted access to
content, purchasing limits, blocking or allowing specific telephone
numbers, or the like. The usage of the user device is monitored at
block 204. At block 206, a determination is made whether one of the
control limits has been exceeded. When one of the control limits
has been exceeded, a master device is notified at block 208.
[0021] At block 210, a request to disable the user device is
received. Disabling the user device can include locking the screen
of the user device, powering down the user device, disabling
specific communication ports on the user device, or the like. The
user device is disabled at block 212. At block 214, a determination
is made whether a restore password has been received from the
master device. When the restore password has been received, the
settings of the user device are restored at block 216.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative embodiment of a general
computer system 300. The computer system 300 can include a set of
instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system to
perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions
disclosed herein. The computer system 300 may operate as a
standalone device or may be connected, such as by using a network,
to other computer systems or peripheral devices.
[0023] In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate
in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a
server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer
system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The
computer system 300 can also be implemented as or incorporated into
various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, an
STB, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop
computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications
device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control
system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a
pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network
router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing
a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify
actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment,
the computer system 300 can be implemented using electronic devices
that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a
single computer system 300 is illustrated, the term "system" shall
also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems
that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of
instructions to perform one or more computer functions.
[0024] The computer system 300 may include a processor 302, such as
a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU),
or both. Moreover, the computer system 300 can include a main
memory 304 and a static memory 306 that can communicate with each
other via a bus 308. As shown, the computer system 300 may further
include a video display unit 310 such as a liquid crystal display
(LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel
display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).
Additionally, the computer system 300 may include an input device
312 such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 314 such as a
mouse. The computer system 300 can also include a disk drive unit
316, a signal generation device 318 such as a speaker or remote
control, and a network interface device 320 to communicate with a
network 326. In a particular embodiment, the disk drive unit 316
may include a computer-readable medium 322 in which one or more
sets of instructions 324, such as software, can be embedded.
Further, the instructions 324 may embody one or more of the methods
or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the
instructions 324 may reside completely, or at least partially,
within the main memory 304, the static memory 306, and/or within
the processor 302 during execution by the computer system 300. The
main memory 304 and the processor 302 also may include
computer-readable media.
[0025] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the
various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as
a complete description of all of the elements and features of
apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods
described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other
embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such
that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally,
the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn
to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be
exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly,
the disclosure and the FIGs. are to be regarded as illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0026] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that
it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of
the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description of
the Drawings, various features may be grouped together or described
in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the
disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting
an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features
than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less
than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,
the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description
of the Drawings, with each claim standing on its own as defining
separately claimed subject matter.
[0027] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
present disclosed subject matter. Thus, to the maximum extent
allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosed subject matter
is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of
the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be
restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.
* * * * *